Sometimes, the arrival of an entirely expected model can still be surprising. For the last couple of years Rega has been replacing its RP series of turntables with Planar decks, so it didn’t take an enormous amount of deduction to work out that this would continue up the range to include the RP8. What wasn’t so obvious is that the Planar 8 would be so different to its predecessor and almost every other Rega turntable that came before it.

It’s almost 20 years since the introduction of the Pro-Ject Debut turntable – a low-cost design that was arguably highly instrumental in the success of the rebirth of the vinyl format back into the mainstream. Over the years the company has established a firm grip on the turntable market place to the point where the 48 models it now offers make up one of the most extensive lineups of any hi-fi company.

As one of the largest OEM manufacturers of tonearms in the world Japanese manufacturer Jelco has built an enviable reputation in the business by providing customised tonearms for turntable manufacturers that do not have the extensive manufacturing capacity or expertise to make their own.

I recently found myself chatting with a fellow audio scribe about the number of turntables currently available. We discussed a few favourites and his final comment was: “Yes, a great selection; although about half of them are made by Pro-Ject!” While we chuckled, I couldn’t help thinking he had a point. Not since the late seventies, and the bewildering array of decks to be found in the Technics catalogue, has one manufacturer covered such a wide span with its model lineup.

Increasingly, the entry-level turntable market is in pursuit of convenient plug ‘n’ play solutions, with everything that’s needed in one complete package to make spinning LPs as simple a process as possible. This is not typically the audiophile way of going about things, but with a growing desire for quality turntable solutions to appeal to new or returning vinyl fans, the move towards one-stop solutions that combine cartridge and phono stage preamps, reducing the box count, is enormously appealing.

From the moment Rega revived its Planar name with the introduction of the Planar 1, Planar 2 (HFC 415) and Planar 3 (HFC 411) turntables in 2016, it was logical that the RP6 would be in line to join the new order. Rumours of an RP6 successor have been circulating for some time since the Planar 3 arrived over a year ago and anticipation was finally broken with the official announcement of the imminent release of the new Planar 6 in mid- July, much to the excitement of both dealers and Rega enthusiasts alike.
On the face of it, the similarities between the Planar 6 and the more affordable models in Rega’s range look to outweigh the differences, but rest assured that the £998 (without cartridge) Planar 6 is rather more than a beefed-up version of its Planar 3 sibling. The new turntable is still an unsuspended, belt-driven design that uses a single-piece plinth instead of the distinctive two-piece design of the continuing RP8 and RP10 flagship decks.

Few symbols of vinyl’s resurgence are quite as potent as last year’s timely introduction of Technics’ Grand Class SL-1200G (HFC 418) flagship and limited edition SL-1200GAE turntables. Based on the DJ-friendly decks that first appeared in the seventies, the original SL-1200 ceased production due to financial pressures back in 2010, and sparked protests from loyal fans around the world. It seems Panasonic was paying attention because the iconic SL-1200 returned in redesigned form last year and was widely recognised as a significant jump up from the original classic – but then with an asking price of £3,000 it really ought to be.
Apart from the obvious cosmetic differences, the silver SL-1200GR and black SL-1210GR are essentially the same.

The very fact that the Omega 100 exists at all is a testament to the extent of the revival in vinyl’s fortunes. The RIAA BT is the flagship of six models that effectively break down into two groups of three – the more affordable Alpha models and the premium Omega range. The playback hardware of the Omegas is identical and comprises a completely bespoke design that’s been developed inhouse by the French brand.
Chief among the new technology is a computer-controlled motor with electronic speed switching.